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Nashua Police Department seeks reaccreditation

NASHUA - A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. will be at the Nashua Police Department through Tuesday.

"Accreditation is on a voluntary basis, but it is important to us because it shows the public and the commission itself that we choose to uphold about 470 standards that keep us up-to-date with modern law enforcement policies and procedures," Police Chief John Seusing said.

The police force has been accredited since 1991, and reaccredited in 1996, 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010, according to the department's website, which states that Nashua is one of eight other departments in the state that are internationally accredited.

Seusing hopes that residents will attend tonight's public information session on accreditation, which will begin at 6 p.m. at the station on Panther Drive. The public is invited to offer comments at the meeting. Telephone comments are also being accepted from 1 to 3 p.m. today by calling 589-1652.

The CALEA team arrived Saturday. During the reaccreditation process, the assessors tour the station, review various files and reports, meet with personnel, interview staff, participate in ride-alongs and seek community input, according to Seusing.

"I'm looking forward to it," Seusing said, explaining this is his first time participating in the process as police chief.

"The management and staff of the agency, both sworn and non-sworn, are well-trained and dedicated to their job responsibilities and the community they serve," the 2010 assessment report for Nashua states. "The Nashua Police Department is also a leader in law enforcement in the region, and collaborates with area police agencies to solve crimes ... The agency is very proactive and has a positive impact on the community."

On Tuesday, assessors will share with Seusing any potential concerns or problems and also report a summary of their results.

Official reaccreditation - if approved - will take place during a conference in March in South Carolina.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the department's ability to meet the standards for accreditation may write to Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., 13575 Heathcote Blvd. Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155.